Supreme Court tells husband to equally share chores amid divorce dispute: 'You're not marrying a maid'

When asked by the bench about the alleged cruelty, the man’s lawyer said the woman behaved improperly and did not cook food

The Supreme Court on Friday observed that a husband must share household responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning and washing, emphasising that marriage is a partnership, not the hiring of domestic help.

The observations were made by a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta while hearing a petition filed by a man challenging a Karnataka High Court order. The high court had overturned a trial court’s decision granting him divorce on grounds of cruelty.

During the hearing before the top court, the man’s counsel stated that mediation between the parties had failed. He added that the couple had married in May 2017 and have been separated since 2019.

"I (man) want a divorce. The trial court granted a divorce on the ground of cruelty," the counsel said, according to a report by PTI.

When asked by the bench about the alleged cruelty, the man’s lawyer said the woman behaved improperly and did not cook food.

"You have to equally participate in all these. Cooking, cleaning, washing, everything. Today's times are different," Justice Nath observed, adding the high court was right that it might not be a ground for cruelty.

"You are not marrying a maid. You are marrying a life partner," Justice Mehta observed.

The bench was told that both of them were working in a government school.

"Call both parties physically. We would like to speak to them," the bench said.

It posted the matter for hearing on April 27 and asked both parties to remain present before it.